An archival social and technological history of 21st Century mineral processing. Barry Wills of MEI presents news and views on mineral processing, as well as occasionally indulging his passions for travel, outdoor activities, geology, history and Cornwall.

Saturday, 8 February 2014

The 19th century Crown Mines, perched on the granite cliffs at Botallack
near Land's End, are the county's most photographed engine houses. There must be
thousands of photos of these ruins but probably none as dramatic as this one,
taken by Peter Hulance, and posted on Facebook. This is the bigger of
the two engine houses, the pumping house, totally at the mercy of the Atlantic
storms which are still sweeping through Cornwall.

Meanwhile in Devon, work has commenced on repairing the break in the Great
Western rail line between London and Penzance. It is expected to take at least 6
weeks, and in the meantime rail travellers are being bused between Exeter and
Plymouth, where they resume their train journey into Cornwall. Hopefully all
will be back to normal in June for Biohydromet '14 and SRCR '14 in
Falmouth.